Suspected Hit-And-Run Driver Leads Police On Wild Chase

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A suspected hit-and-run driver led police on an approximately 45-minute chase from North Hollywood to Echo Park and Silver Lake, ending in Hollywood with the driver surrendering shortly after a spike strip was deployed.

The chase began shortly before 7 p.m. at Riverside Drive and Cahuenga Boulevard, said Los Angeles police Officer Christopher No.

An off-duty officer said he witnessed a traffic collision in which the driver then fled.

The motorist nearly hit several pedestrians and drove with disregard for his or the public’s safety.

The man was driving a silver Chevrolet pickup truck with New Mexico license plates.

The driver took to the Golden State (5) and Ventura (134) freeways early in the chase, driving so fast ground units were pulled back and he was only being followed by a helicopter.

After getting off the freeway, the unidentified driver went on surface streets — often at excessive speeds, running through red lights and blowing through intersections. He went on the wrong side of the road at least six times.

An officer ran in front of the truck in Hollywood and laid down a spike strip, which the driver was unable to avoid, puncturing at least one of the truck’s tires.

The driver was taken into custody in a parking lot near Fuller Avenue and Sunset Boulevard about 10 minutes later.